Source: Josh Bell-Webster, Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
WINDSOR, Ont. - Players are taught to keep their eyes on the ball. Stray bullets, however, is a completely different matter.
For St. Clair College’s Jennifer Gilroy and other athletes at the women’s baseball World Cup in Caracas, Venezuela last month, the potential of being shot became a harsh reality when a Hong Kong player was accidentally struck in the lower leg by a wayward bullet during a game.
Although the injury wasn’t life-threatening, it did force the postponement of games, as well as Hong Kong’s decision to pull out of the tournament. Games were moved to Maracay, approximately 60 km southwest of Caracas.
“It was scary,” admits Gilroy. “We all knew going there that it is a gun culture. Everyone has a gun and the military is huge there, and it is a dangerous place compared to Canada. We knew it would be very different. None of our players or coaches had ever been to Venezuela, so we didn’t really know what to expect.”
Prior to leaving for South America, members of Team Canada discussed “what-if” scenarios, brainstorming possible situations that might occur at the tournament. Although the thought of a player getting shot on the diamond likely didn’t cross anyone’s mind, the process did help the team prepare for what ultimately transpired.
“We were prepared for the unexpected,” explains Gilroy. “But a lot of people were frightened. A lot of people feared for their lives. We came together very quickly after it happened.”
The Team Canada coaching staff allowed players to decide whether to stick it out in Venezuela or return home. Gilroy’s teammates were candid with their feelings, as some did wish to leave, while others wanted to stay. The decision to move the games out of Caracas was likely the best compromise for everyone involved.
“I personally felt safe when I was there,” says Gilroy. “We had the national guard all around us. They really played up the tournament. They did a really good job adjusting and it was terrible that the accident happened as they did their best to make everyone feel as safe as possible.”
Venezuela was also a culture shock in a positive way, something that Gilroy hopes to see in Edmonton where the World Cup will be played in 2012.
“They love their baseball there,” praises Gilroy. “There were thousands of people at every game, and I really hope that Canada picks up on that because it’s good baseball. To see how much they love it out there, little kids asking you for your autograph and fans at the end of games saying that you played well, lining up beside your dugout. It’s a crazy experience to see how much they care about the game.”
Gilroy made seven starts in her first-ever trip to the World Cup, mostly as a catcher and occasionally as a designated hitter. The Mississauga, Ont., native posted a .263 batting average in 19 at bats, scoring six times while driving in four runs. Team Canada compiled a 5-3 record, good for fifth place at the tournament.
“For my rookie year, I was really pleased with my play,” says Gilroy. “I was really nervous going there being a rookie and catching the majority of the games, but overall, I was pretty excited and happy with my performance. There’s definitely room for improvement, which I think is the best thing.”
“2012 is looking so good and I’m really excited to improve on all my stats then, and get some more wins for Canada.”
Gilroy will remain on the diamond the next two months, playing her final season with the St. Clair Saints fastball team. She is currently enrolled in the police foundations program after earning a law and security diploma last spring. Her ultimate goal is to become a police officer.
“I want to play off of my strengths and I see policing as a physically and mentally demanding job,” explains Gilroy. “You got to know your stuff, you have to lay down the law, you have to use your discretion.”
St. Clair has won back-to-back OCAA championships for the first time in its history, and three provincial titles in the past five seasons. Gilroy has been a key member of the team each of the last two seasons with a .354 average scoring 18 runs and contributing 10 RBI.
While the Saints still have a long journey to duplicate Durham’s record 14 OCAA championships, they could match a feat only three other teams in OCAA fastball history have achieved; winning three consecutive titles. Only Durham (1982-84, 2002-04), Seneca (1985-87) and Conestoga (1988-90) have achieved an OCAA three-peat in women’s fastball.
“We like to take one game at a time, and three-peat is on our mind,” says Gilroy. “But beating our rivals is more important to us.”
“I think we’re going to have just as strong a team if not stronger than last year.”
